Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
The Red Admiral is a frequent visitor to gardens throughout the British Isles and is one of our most well-known butterflies. This butterfly is unmistakable, with the velvety black wings with striking red bands and white spots.
Habitat
This is a widespread species and is found anywhere in Britain.
Behaviour
When resting on the ground or on a tree trunk, the undersides of the adults provide superb camouflage, making them almost invisible as they blend into the background. Egg-laying females are very easy to spot, as she flies from leaf to leaf, laying her eggs.
Feeding
The adults drink nectar from a wide variety of plants including Buddleia, Ivy and Bramble. They also eat rotting fruit, such as plums that have fallen from the tree. Caterpillars like Stinging Nettles.
Life cycle
Eggs are laid singly on the upper surface of Stinging Nettle leaves. Eggs hatch in about a week and the caterpillars’ lives within a tent, which is made by folding the edges of a leaf together and securing it with silk. After 3-4 weeks they pupate, before they emerge from a cocoon as adults.